tirerack is general stuff, id go with what the dealer says since it is specific for the tacoma.

 

"d"

 

I have always done C...there is no real specific tire rotation for a Tacoma. Several people will tell you different...there will be some that will argue that C is not correct...but most people go that route. There are some that just do a straight front to back rotation also...Kinda like D, even with non-directional tires.

Anyway..the spare is not rotated in because usually the spare is a 'temporary use only' version of the tires on the truck. I have not looked at the Tacoma spare to verify this, but I see no reason to rotate the spare onto the truck.

Just my .02.

But as long as they get rotated..that is all that really matters...

 

I have always done C...there is no real specific tire rotation for a Tacoma. Several people will tell you different...there will be some that will argue that C is not correct...but most people go that route. There are some that just do a straight front to back rotation also...Kinda like D, even with non-directional tires.

Anyway..the spare is not rotated in because usually the spare is a 'temporary use only' version of the tires on the truck. I have not looked at the Tacoma spare to verify this, but I see no reason to rotate the spare onto the truck.

Just my .02.

But as long as they get rotated..that is all that really matters...

I think the spare is the same tire as the rest from what I can tell from crawling under there just now. Not 100% sure but it looks like it.

 

I believe that 'D' should only be done if you have directional tires of the same size. For non-directionals, 'D' is simple b/c you don't have to carry any tires around to the other side, and you don't have to think -- but it's not the best method.

Changing sides (therefore changing direction of rotation) will not harm the tires at all, not will it shorten the tread life. The fact is that tires will wear a bit differently at each corner of the vehicle, so tread wear will be equalized as much as possible when each tire spends time at each corner.

My preferred method has always been 'C' (though 'A' does exactly the same thing but in reverse order). I don't include the spare, but that's just personal preference -- it can be included in the mix as long as you rotate it in the same order each time.

But as stated, any rotation is better than none...

 

After doing it both ways on many trucks, I keep the tires on the same side of the truck.

If you cross the tires to the opposite side, you'll get a more even wear pattern but may find your truck pulling to the side slightly.

I move the new tires onto whatever corners makes the vehicle track straight. Thereafter when I rotate, I keep them on the same side of the vehicle, and it will continue tracking straight. (And it's easier and faster to rotate if you diy)

 

if the spare is the same I want it included in the rotation:whatwhat:

 

The spare is the same tire. It is not the same wheel.

Thanks Toyota

Mine came with the Sport 17" alloys. The spare is a steelie. Still want it in your rotation?

I didn't think so :lol:

 

I let the dealer do my rotations and they do it as in "D". When I bought the truck they were running a promotion of "Tires for life." Basically I get new tires when required as long as the dealer does the rotation.

 

I let the dealer do my rotations and they do it as in "D". When I bought the truck they were running a promotion of "Tires for life." Basically I get new tires when required as long as the dealer does the rotation.

How cool is that! Do you get to choose what tires and maybe pay a difference if they are different than stock?

 

In addition to my Tacoma, we also have a '99 Crown Vic(wifes car). For a number of years I have always used the method shown in figure D. The wear pattern has always been great with no signs of abnormal wear. The guy who gets all my tire and alignment business, recommended to me a number of years ago to run 35 psi in my tires and I have done that with great success. I also run 35 in my '06 Tacoma and rotate using the same method every 10,000 miles. That's the way it works for me. Good luck with your choice.

 

I have always gone with "C". Works well.

 

I use "D". I don't switch sides with radial tires. did a tire rotation on my 94 Sub, using method "A", belt slipped inside the tire about 500 miles later. most tire dealers(that I have talked to) do not recommend changing sides. I just go front to back, and vice versus about every 5K.

 

did a tire rotation on my 94 Sub, using method "A", belt slipped inside the tire about 500 miles later.

I believe you that it happened, but am curious what tire it was. In 40+ years of driving (mostly on radials), I have never had it happen to me -- or to anyone I have known. I'm thinking it was simply a defective tire, and the belt didn't slip due to being crossed over...

 

Every vehicle I have ever owned, that came with "special", "styled", or "alloy" wheels, and the spare was not a "doughnut", the spare matched the other 4... starting with my 1978 Datsun 510, which I purchased new when I was 21 years old. Even my 1986 Escort.

I know, I know... it's just a spare. But there's doing it cheap, and there's doing it right.

Love my truck, but some of these corner-cutting measures irk me a little. :hammer:

Whatever.

end of rant!

 

I use D for the same reason as many previous posters.

I don't have the owner's (glovebox) manual in front of me, but it probably recommends D, or the alternative including the spare.
The only time I bring the spare into play is if I "kill" a tire (irrepairable) and instead of buying two, I'll buy one, put the spare on the other side, take the "surviving tire of the pair" and stow it as spare.

(Let's say you have 20k on a set of tires. A nail travels up thru the sidewall, making the tire <officially> irrepairable. Instead of buying 2 new tires, so that both tires on that axle have similar tread, if the spare is the same, I'll buy 1 tire to replace the damaged one, put the other wheel from that axle in the spare rack, and put the spare on opposite the new tire. Less outlay, and a tire that has nothing beyond 20k of time on the ground makes a perfectly suitable spare for the life of the vehicle for my purposes.)

 

Manual says to use D...just roatated mine last weekend.